Roma Carol Penton passed away August 2, 2022 and is survived by her mother Laura, husband Jim, daughter Shelby, bonus-sons Travis and Tyler, and grandchildren Kambrie, Samantha, Roman, Bruno, Mila, Evelynn, and Finnan. She was pre-deceased by her father Ray, and brother Michael.
Roma was born in Macon, MO on November 23, 1956, an auspicious day that has often co-hosted Thanksgiving. It is very appropriate that Thanksgiving shares her day as we are thankful for every moment with her. Roma earned her nickname “Mo” from her cousin David who was unable to pronounce Roma, though it is fitting for a woman who lived her life in the state of MO.
Growing up Roma enjoyed camping with her family. She was a girl scout earning the First Class Scout award, and a Rainbow girl.
Roma graduated high school in Liberty, MO in 1975. It was then that Roma developed her interest in science by driving across the state line into Kansas to buy three-two-beer with her best friend Ann in order to test the proposition that drinking through a straw produces inebriation more quickly than other methods.
In the Fall of 1975, Roma attended Northwest Missouri State University and the University of Missouri at Kansas City’s dental hygiene program graduating in 1979. On her first day of dental hygiene classes at UMKC Roma surveyed the 35 other students looking for a friend and found a life-long group of friends ready to party or support one another a moment’s notice, and most often ready to go skiing.
Roma was a leader in the Kansas City dental hygiene community as a past president of the UMKC dental hygiene alumni association, and is a well loved hygienist who worked on the Plaza and in Parkville at Burns Dental Care. A patient and friend once remarked on how Roma always liked to ask a question right before putting tools in their mouth and wondered how on earth she could ever understand their answers. Roma retired from dental hygiene in 2017 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Roma’s patients keep in touch after her retirement and stop her husband and daughter in grocery stores to find out how she’s doing. After retiring she played lots of golf, enjoyed her friends and family, and relaxed in the Arizona sun.
Roma tried her hand at marriage a few times before finding happiness. You may also know her as Roma Preston, Roma Bell, or Roma Lineberry, but all these aliases refer to the same wonderful woman. Though some of these identities lasted longer than others, in each iteration Roma has been the life-of-the-party, a true friend, and quite a catch.
A very young Roma Preston made one single attempt at off-road jeeping. This one and only trip was arranged by the fates, because how else can we explain that such an otherwise miserable trip would include an introduction to one James Hedrick, known as Jim, whom she married in 2008, nearly 30 years after meeting. Shortly after Roma and Jim became an item they relocated to Smithville, which is just down the road from Paradise, but they have felt like residents of Paradise the entire time. And in 2021 they returned to jeeping!
It was Roma Bell who became mom to Shelby, multiple times winning the coveted “Mother of the Year “competition through her love, devotion, work as a chauffer, chef, personal shopper, personal assistant, interest free lender, guru, therapist, chief cheerleader, indulgent Grandma, and of course, dedicated dental hygienist. Her wins were clinched by her service as role model for how to be a strong, self-reliant woman living a fulfilling life.
Roma is an enthusiastic golfer and member of the Excelsior Springs Golf Course, and on July 7, 2009 she scored a hole in one at Marimac golf course in Kearney, MO. In 2019, Roma expanded her skills becoming a birth-support-person at the birth of her granddaughter Evelynn, and becoming a world traveler on a trip to Roma, Italy, with a few pit stops in Croatia, Montenegro, and other southern Italian ports.
Whether you know Roma, or are just getting to know her through this memorial, I hope you’ll agree that we are all better off for knowing her.
Visitation to be held at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church on Friday August 5, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. The Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the church. Flowers may be sent to Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church at 7600 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64153, or Roma requested that donations in her name be sent to LevelUp Kids or CaringBridge. Memories of Roma and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
I am so sorry for your loss! I met Roma many years ago through my friend and co-worker Barb Keck. We had lots of fun at the Alumni Meetings at UMKC. She will be missed by many.
I am so sorry for your loss! I knew Roma through Rainbow in Liberty Mo. We had lots of fun!
We knew Roma through her good friend Barb Keck. Went on a cruise with the dental hygiene group. That was a fun trip!
Roma was blessed to have many friends because she was always a friend!
May fond memories sustain the family and friends throw the years
Ginger Barr and Ed Carpenter
My husband and I knew Roma through her work as a dental hygienist. She was a delight to be around, always smiling and talkative.
What a beautifully writen memorial. I do feel I know better how wonderful she was. We are very sad for her loss at such a young age.
Deepest sympathies for your loss.
I met Roma through Barb Keck, gorgeous smiles the both of them. I know Barb and Roma’s friendship was a beautiful friendship of shared ups and downs, with proper celebrations. May your whole family find comfort in your memories of Roma as you grieve this tremendous loss.
Condolences
Crystal Katzer
We didn’t know Roma very long, but it was long enough to appreciate this special person who blessed us with her friendships and antics. Roma showed us how to love and how to die. Her husband Jim took such good care of her. She deserved the best and she got it with Jim. We will miss you, Roma. Thank you for being in our lives.
My deepest sympathies for your loss.
So Sorry for your loss Prayers for Family and friends.
Laura, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I was saddened to hear of Roma’s passing and grieve with her family and friends. I knew Roma when she lived in my neighborhood back in the late 1990’s. We were the founding families of the Estates of Wildwood and Roma was the instigator er, I mean initiator 😉 of our neighborhood parties (the progressive New Years Eve festivities were always a hit as we traveled to each others houses). I was sad to see her go from our little neighborhood years ago and totally heartbroken that she’s no longer here with those who love her most. God Bless Her Soul.
My sympathy and prayers for Roma’s beloved family and friends! I met Roma in 1977 when we started the UMKC dental hygiene program. Roma quickly made friends and was blessed with a personality that made people feel immediately at ease. An invaluable asset when working with patients fearing dental treatment.
Early on, Roma demonstrated her leadership ability. I believe I speak for all my classmates when I state we were very happy for and proud of Roma when she assumed the leadership of the the UMKC Dental Hygiene Alumni Association. It has been many years since I have attended the UMKC alumni meeting (aka Midwest Dental Conference), but when I did make it, I could count on Roma’s ready smile and a good catch-up visit. May Roma rest in God’s Perpetual Light with those loved ones who who were waiting with open arms. God help all her family and friends here in this world to learn to live with Roma’s physical absence. May the memories sustain and bring comfort, peace and in time, joy until we see her again.
Although our friendship with Roma was brief, my husband and I were greatly touched by Roma’s spirit in the face of this horrible disease. Always positive and matter-of-fact, there was no “why me” in any of the conversations we had. Our only wish is that we’d connected earlier with this wonderful soul so we’d have had more time to really get to know her. God bless you Roma.
My condolences to Roma’s family. Roma made her mark on earth for her enthusiasm for living. We were classmates and neighbors. Her beauty will be missed.
“Where there is sorrow, there is holy ground” Oscar Wilde